11 - Bideford to Westward Ho!

Stage Distance: 8 miles (Total Distance: 88 miles)

What a fantastic day to take off work!   Shorts for the first time this year!  The tide was just starting to go out on leaving Bideford.  The tree-lined path follows the Torridge on the top of the cliffs, until opening out just before reaching the Appledore shipyard.  It then turns inland behind the shipyard and over fields before joining the road into Appledore.  It’s then road walking through Appledore, along the quay and finally through the narrow streets of brightly painted cottages of West Appledore until emerging with fine views over the Skern to Northam Burrows.  A good spot for lunch.

The low tide route is across the sand to Northam Burrows.  From here it’s only 900 yards across the river to Braunton Burrows, but it’s taken a walk of 18 miles to get from there to here! 

The path follows the road until it turns into the dunes and on to Grey Sand Hill.  It then follows the pebble ridge to Westward Ho! skirting round the landward side of Sandymere.

Logistics: Parked at Westward Ho!and took the 21 bus back to Bideford.
GPS Track: 11 - Bideford to Westward Ho! (20110319).kmz 
Images: 11 - Bideford to Westward Ho!

10 - Barnstaple to Bideford

Stage Distance: 10 miles (Total Distance: 80 miles)

The tiffin cake at Barntaple station is quality stuff!  Fortified, we head off to join the Tarka Trail again, this time along the old Barnstaple to Bideford line.  A fantastic day!  The walk follows the trail all the way to the old station at Fremington Quay,where Devon clay used to be shipped out all over the world.  By this time it’s lunchtime (food is starting to feature almost more than the walking in these accounts).  There are lovely views across the Taw, made more interesting because the tide is low with the channels flowing across the sand.  There are a few birds out there, egret, oystercatcher and curlew, but fewer than in the winter months.  The path crosses Fremington Pill and then there is an option to turn off the trail and follow the river through East Yelland Marsh and Instow Barton Marsh.  Take it!  It makes a nice change from the tarmac of the trail.  After passing the old power station site the path eventually drops down onto Instow Sands.  Through the village you arrive at the signal box and rejoin the old line towards Bideford. 

As you travel along towards Bideford, there are good views back to Instow and Appledore facing each other across the Torridge.  The path continues into Bideford with a final signal box to add to the collection.  Then across the river via the long bridge and back to the car.

Logistics: Parked at Bideford and 21A, 85 or 315 bus back to Barnstaple railway station).
GPS Track: 10 - Barnstaple to Bideford (20110319).kmz 
Images: 10 - Barnstaple to Bideford

9 - Saunton to Barnstaple

Stage Distance: 12.5 miles (Total Distance: 70 miles)

The next three stages will take us inland up the Taw and Torridge rivers after which we’ll rejoin the coast again at Westward Ho!

Another choice to start with - along the road or the alternative climb up through the trees behind the road onto Saunton Down to rejoin the road further down?  The Saunton Down route is highly recommended as it gives wonderful views across Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows across to the Taw/Torridge in the distance as well as being a very pleasant walk over fields.  We won’t be this high again until well past Westward Ho!.

The path over the downs descends near Saunton Court and rejoins the road.  Then it’s into Braunton Burrows.  They look much more attractive in sunshine than in the dull light the day before.

On through the Burrows until eventually meeting the Taw/Torridge estuary, which seems a sensible place for lunch.  An optional boardwalk is laid over the dunes to Broad Sand overlooking Appledore and it’s worth the walk there and back.

After passing a lovely tranquil lake, the walk eventually joins the dyke along the banks of the Taw at the White House.  It continues, giving pleasant views over Braunton Marshes and the river until it turns towards Braunton along the Caen River.  Close to Braunton, the river widens at Velator Quay, once used to deliver limestone and coal from over the Bristol Channel to the local lime kilns.  Just after the quay, the path joins the road at the weir in Braunton. A short walk through the outskirts and then onto the Tarka Trail – the old Barnstaple to Ilfracombe railway.  On it goes past Chivenor, the base for the yellow helicopter often seen patrolling the coast and a tea stop at the Tarka Inn at the point where the trail rejoins the Taw.  The last mile or two is along the river bank until arriving at the road bridge.  After crossing the river it’s a brief walk via the underpass back to the Tesco car park where, to our relief, we have not been clamped!  Cheap but risky!

Logistics: Parked at Barnstaple booked a taxi to Woolacombe (no 308 bus on Sundays!).
GPS Track: 9- Saunton to Barnstaple (20110313).kmz 
Images: 9 - Saunton to Barnstaple

8 - Woolacombe to Saunton

Stage Distance: 8.5 miles (Total Distance: 57.5 miles)

Not a great forecast with heavy rain due at about 3.00pm but you never know!  On leaving the road, the walk passes through the dunes (nice to see a couple of Wheatear flying ahead of us).  On joining Marine Drive at the back of the dunes, the path continues on past Vention to Putsborough.  After lunch on a bench overlooking Putsborough Sand we followed the  gorse-lined  path out to Baggy Point enjoying some unexpected sun.  Climbers were busy on the flat rocks at the Point.  Views of Lundy Island are apparently good from here.  Not a sign of it!

On rounding the Point, Croyde Sand soon comes into view.  The path following the cliff edge passes an unexpected whale vertebra and reaches Croyde  where a very well-placed café exerts it’s attraction. 

One cream tea later (shared, mind you) and the promised rain looks imminent.  Walking across Croyde Sand threatens to be wet but it comes to nothing.  Woolacombe appears less lucky though, looking back. 

The path leaves the sand and climbs up past the old coastguard lookout to join the road.  At this point there is a choice; continue back along the road to Saunton or take an alternative loop climbing up behind the road and descend to rejoin it opposite the Saunton Sands Hotel.  The loop is more enjoyable but obviously longer.  On rejoining the road at the hotel, the path continues through the hotel grounds and descends to the car park.

Logistics: Parked at Saunton and caught the 308 bus to Bruunton and the 303 bus to Woolacombe.
GPS Track: 8- Woolacombe to Saunton(20110312).kmz 
Images: 8 - Woolacombe to Saunton